- Amasya served as a training ground for Ottoman princes, known as 'şehzade', who were sent here to govern and learn statecraft before ascending to the throne.
- The city was the birthplace of the renowned 16th-century cartographer and geographer Piri Reis.
- Strabo, the famous Greek geographer and historian of the Roman era, was born in Amasya in the 1st century BC.
- The local geography forced the city to develop along a strictly longitudinal axis, leading to its unique urban layout pressed between steep cliffs and the river.
- Amasya is home to a unique variety of apple, the 'misket' apple, which is celebrated as the city's culinary symbol.
About Amasya
Nestled in a narrow valley along the Yeşilırmak River, Amasya is renowned for its Ottoman-era architecture and dramatic cliff-side geography. The city serves as an open-air museum, famously home to the Pontic Kings Rock Tombs [7625] which are carved directly into the Harşena mountain face. Visitors can explore the intricate history of the region at the Amasya Archeology Museum [40172] or walk through the historic residential heritage preserved at the Hazeranlar Mansion [38020]. The skyline is defined by the silhouette of Amasya Kalesi [9500], which overlooks the traditional wooden houses lining the riverbanks.
Highlights of Amasya
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
View the massive Hellenistic-era royal tombs carved directly into the vertical limestone cliffs.
Historical places
Hike to the ancient fortifications at the summit for a panoramic view of the entire Yeşilırmak valley.
Museums
Explore the 19th-century Ottoman architecture and period furnishings preserved inside this riverside mansion.
Temples
Visit the sprawling 15th-century complex featuring a mosque, madrasa, and historic bath architecture.
Museums
View a vast collection of Anatolian artifacts, including the famous Ilkhanid mummies.
Museums
Learn about the lives of the Ottoman princes who were trained in this city before becoming Sultans.
Museums
Discover the local interpretation of the tragic Middle Eastern folklore tale of Ferhat and Şirin.
Places of interest
Observe the historic clock tower situated centrally as a landmark of the city's urban development.
Top things to do in Amasya
The 211 highest-rated places in Amasya, ranked by travellers.
1
Museums
The Amasya Archeology Museum is primarily noted for its collection of 14th-century Ilkhanid mummies, which are the most...
2
Museums
The Ferhat and Şirin Lovers Museum in Amasya commemorates the legendary romance between Ferhat, a water engineer, and Pr...
3
Historical places
Amasya Kalesi sits atop Harşena Mountain, overlooking the city and the Yeşilırmak River. The fortress features foundatio...
4
Parks
Boraboy Nature Park is centered around a landslide-dammed lake situated at an elevation of 1,050 meters in the Amasya pr...
5
Historical places
The Amasya Yalıboyu Houses are a collection of restored Ottoman-era wooden mansions situated along the banks of the Yeşi...
6
Historical places
The Pontic Kings Rock Tombs are a series of five distinct burial sites carved directly into the limestone cliffs of Moun...
7
Places of interest
The Amasya Clock Tower is an 1865 structure situated on the banks of the Yeşilırmak River. It was originally commissione...
8
Natural attractions
Lake Borabay is a crater lake situated in the Taşova district of Amasya province, Türkiye, nestled at an altitude of app...
9
Museums
The Miniature Museum of Amasya, also known as the Amasya Şehzade Müzesi, provides a detailed scale representation of the...
10
Temples
The Sultan Bayezid II Complex is a 15th-century Ottoman külliye situated on the banks of the Yeşilırmak River in Amasya....
11
Historical places
Zile Castle is a historical fortress located on a conical hill in the center of Zile, Tokat. The site is historically si...
12
Temples
The Bâyezid II Mosque in Amasya, completed in 1486 by Sultan Bâyezid II, serves as the centerpiece of a larger social co...
13
Museums
Şehzadeler Gezi Yolu is an open-air historical promenade situated along the banks of the Yeşilırmak River in Amasya, Tur...
14
Museums
The Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin Medicine and History Museum occupies the historic Ilhanid-era Bimarhane, a hospital complex f...
15
Historical places
The Atatürk Anıtı in Amasya serves as a prominent monument honoring Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic o...
16
Parks
Pirler Park is a central urban green space located in the historic Sofular neighborhood of Amasya. The park serves as a...
17
Museums
The Şehzadeler Müzesi, or Princes' Museum, is located in a traditional Ottoman-style mansion on the banks of the Yeşilır...
18
Parks
Ladik Lake Municipal Facilities (Ladik Gölü Tesisleri) provides direct public access to the tectonic Ladik Lake, known f...
19
Museums
Hazeranlar Mansion is a restored 19th-century Ottoman konak located along the Yeşilırmak River in Amasya. Built in 1865...
20
Venues
21
Parks
22
Temples
23
Places of interest
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Places of interest
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Temples
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Temples
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Venues
28
Parks
29
Temples
30
Temples
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Amasya on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Amasya
Spring (April to June) or Autumn (September to October) for mild temperatures ideal for climbing the steep paths to the rock tombs and castle ruins.
2 days, as the core historical sites and riverfront area can be experienced thoroughly within 48 hours.
The city center is highly walkable, with most major historical sites located within a short distance of the river; taxis are available for reaching locations on the upper slopes.
The riverfront area (Yalıboyu) is the prime location for staying in restored historic mansions that offer direct views of the rock tombs.
Mid-range; the city offers affordable traditional dining and moderately priced accommodation in converted Ottoman houses.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 211 curated attractions in and around Amasya, ranked by traveller ratings.
Amasya Archeology Museum is the highest-rated place to visit in Amasya right now.
The largest category is temples, with 122 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Istanbul, Ankara, Beykoz.
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